Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-20
win herr" asked Texas, as the cards were

win herr" asked Texas, as the cards were
about to be dealt.
"Better ask her," growled Townsend.
"l only play nv claim on her against
your money. You'll have to look to her
for possession"
A note WAS hurriedly written to Mrs.
Townsend, outlining tae proposition and
asking her sanction.
"Tell the gentleman" ran the answer
she gave the messenger, "that l should
be pleased to be separated from Mr.
Townsend, but that Mr.. Redmond can
only claim the stakes by going through
the marriage ceremony"
"Judge" Flanagan, an influential poll
ticisn, was present, and after g hurried
consultation Townsend made a written
admission Of ground for q divorce, on
which Flanagan said he could procure q
separation in very short time.
The announcement, with an engage
ment ring and Texas TOMS compliments,
WAS sent back to Mrs. Townsend, who
returned the following note:
Thomas Redmond: Under such cOndi-
tons hope and pray you will win. 8
RAY TOWNSEND.
"The game is made, gentlemen" said
Tom, with as much of u smile as Lose of
sleep would permit to circulate on his
haggard face, "deel the cards"
Townsend dealt the cards and the novel
game commenced.
Texas captured the first ante chip and
three more with it, on three deuces
against tens up.
"She's mine!" he cried. ssI always
win when rake the first pot"
T0WnGnn6 hrnka with Of
oaths, and the pair came nearly to blows,
only the intervention OF the by-standers
causing the game to 60 on.
The prospective wtdOWer played hard
game. He was wary and careful, and
again he won for time; but again luck
turned against him, and his costly chips
melted into the hands of the prospective
groom. With the turn of the tide Town
send lost his nerve, and in the double
ante and freeze-out Texas GOODNESS and
bluff told heavily. The fifty-dollar bits
of ivory travelled across the table one by
one, and seldom came back.
In fourteen hours Townsend called for
a sight for his last so, and showed down
three kings before the draw.
Texas had aces up.
The remaining monarch failed to leave
the deck, but third ace travelled into
Texas hand
Townsend staggered to his room, and
roughly ordered his wife to "get out"
81 hope I'll be happier with him than l
have been with you," retorted the human
stake, as she obeyed.
But the defeated gambler heard her not
He was asleep.
Texas only waited to introduce his
winning to Flanagan, and iDjunct that
gentleman to hurry up the divorce, before
he also went to sleep. By the time his
long slumber was over the divorce suit
was well under way. Forty-eight hours
after the final hand was played the twain
were made one flesh by justice Of the
peace.
A few bottles were cracked with init
mate friends, and the next day the bridal
tour WAS commenced in westerly d.
rection.
Townsend went to the station to see
them off, and the tears rolled down his
cheeks like rain at the parting. Mrs.
Redmond paid no heed to MS misery, but
rather laid on the lash In punishment for
the indiguity put on her.
Texas only laughed.
"1'Il see you again, Texas" threaten
ingly remarked the bankrupt.
81 don't care whether you do or
not" was the bride groom's nOnchalant
answer; "I'd advise you not TO unless
you learn how to play poker or be more
Of man in the meantime"
A good msny do.
''In Omaha the pair stopped to cele-
brate," concluded the sport who told
the rpnortar tho story Cga1d thaubUa bapr
celebrating SO much that I guess Toms
winnings are tolerably scarce at present,
all but the woman, he's got her yet, if the
cash has melted
Redmond was approached by reporter
for confirmation O. the story, and he
frankly admitted the truth of the main
features Of the story, but would not go
into details. Nor would he say whether
he was likely to regret having "Won" OF
not.